Campus Visits for Hockey Recruits

Campus
visits are a very important step for all hockey recruits. There are two
types of campus visits: Unofficial and Official visits.

Unofficial Visits:

There
are some great advantages to an unofficial visit for hockey recruits. A
prospective student-athlete can go on as many unofficial visits to as
many schools as they want. Also, the visits can take place prior to the
hockey player's senior year in high school (Grade 12).

This is especially important for hockey players who are doing their
research to decide on the school route vs. the Major Junior route. As a
15 year old, you would be able to go on unofficial visits to any NCAA
school.

The downside to unofficial visits is that the team cannot cover any
travel or meal expenses. The only thing they can provide is
complimentary admission to a home game.

Official Visits:

Official
visits are treated differently than unofficial visits. The biggest
difference is that it is an expense-paid visit and a prospective
student-athlete is only allowed to go on one official visit per school.
Furthermore, you are only allowed to take a maximum of five official
visits total.

The earliest a prospective student-athlete can be provided with an
expense-paid visit is the opening day of classes of their senior year in
high school. An important note for hockey players who are playing
junior hockey following high school graduation is that you can receive 5
additional official visits starting October 15th following your high
school graduation.

Scenarios to consider:

1.
You are a two-sport athlete and you excel in hockey and lacrosse.
The hockey and lacrosse team at the same school is recruiting you. How
many official visits can you go on at that school?

You can only go on one official visit per school.

2. You are a two-sport athlete and you excel in ice hockey and
field hockey. You go on 3 official visits for field hockey. How many
official visits can you go on for ice hockey?

You have two official visits left to use for any sport.

3. You are a Junior Hockey player and graduate high school last
year. During your senior year in high school you went on 2 official
visits. How many official visits can you still go on?

After October 15th following high school graduation you are permitted five additional official visits.